Life is good
Nas Feat. Amy Winehouse Lyrics

Escobar season begins
The start of a new chapter in Nas's career as he embodies the persona of the infamous drug lord, Escobar.

Touch up the game like a photo edit
Nas seeks to improve the rap game just as much as a photo editor would retouch a photo to make it look better.

Camera roll like Oscar Michaeux, they gotta roll the credits
Nas compares himself to the first African American filmmaker Oscar Michaeux and suggests that his own impact will eventually receive the credit it deserves.

Like Rome came into Kemet and they stole the essence
Nas compares the cultural appropriation of ancient Egypt to how the Roman empire dominated and took what they wanted from the people of Kemet.

Before they watered it down and taught us bogus lessons
Nas believes the true history of ancient Egypt was watered down and the lessons taught were misleading.

Written in stone, write whatever in your history books
Nas believes that history is never set in stone and can be changed or rewritten by those in power.

Me and ancient Egyptian skin tone had similar looks
Nas identifies with the people of ancient Egypt because of their shared skin tone.

On my trip out to Cairo I found home on arrival
Nas felt a sense of belonging and comfort when he visited Cairo, Egypt for the first time.

I swam in the Red Sea took a boat on the Nile
Nas enjoyed the beauty of Egypt by swimming in the Red Sea and taking a boat ride on the Nile River.

It's in my blood to drive these cars and live this large
Nas believes that his success is part of his destiny and he was always meant to drive expensive cars and live a lavish lifestyle.

Escobar Cigars, avoidin' the prison bars, Nas
Nas enjoys smoking Escobar Cigars, but also acknowledges the irony of his lifestyle and the possibility that he could end up in jail like Escobar.

I deserve the threads in my closet, big boy deposits
Nas feels that he has earned his wealth, which allows him to buy expensive clothes and make large bank deposits.

Nike shares and stock tips
Nas is knowledgeable about the stock market and has invested in popular companies like Nike.

Catching up with those who had a head start
Nas is successful despite not having the advantages of others who had a head start in life.

Used to get eviction notices that had a red mark
Nas struggled with poverty in the past and faced the threat of being evicted from his home.

The lights was out, that's why we sip dark
Nas reminisces about drinking dark liquor when the electricity was out in his home.

Actin' a fool at the pool in Queensbridge Park
Nas has fond memories of being a carefree youth and enjoying himself at the pool in Queensbridge Park.

Niggas would not survive in my hood
Nas believes that people who are not from his neighborhood would not be able to withstand the harsh realities of life there.

Pull up with all of my jewels on and Nas is good
Despite wearing expensive jewelry, Nas feels safe in his own neighborhood.

Ha, I love my hood so much I go out in a blazing shootout
Nas loves his neighborhood so much that he would fight to protect it, even if it means risking his own life in a shootout.

You say I can't come out there
Nas feels that he has been told he cannot leave his neighborhood because of the dangers outside of it.

I'll throw it all away, fuck it
Nas is willing to sacrifice everything to defend his neighborhood.

Big shout out to DU
Nas gives a shoutout to someone named DU, possibly a friend or collaborator.

Forever
Nas wishes the friendship or collaboration with DU could be everlasting.

His brother Herb
Nas mentions Herb, likely referring to someone he knows or has known who is related to DU.

RIP
Nas pays his respects to Herb who has passed away.

Now y'all woke, I'm laughin' at niggas
Nas takes pride in seeing others rise up and become aware of the issues he has been talking about for years.

Y'all used to say Nas talkin' that anti-establishment business
Nas was once criticized for his views on the establishment and his rejection of mainstream values.

Look at my settlement cases, gave they asses some stitches
Nas has won legal cases over the years and feels he has caused some pain for those who have tried to bring him down.

Used to put bottles to faces, all we ask is forgiveness
Nas admits to being involved in violent behavior in his youth and seeks forgiveness for past mistakes.

My past story full of sins, somehow, I gotta cleanse
Nas recognizes that his past is full of wrongdoing and wants to redeem himself.

Back in 2010 Department of Justice wrote me lookin' for one of my friends
Nas received a letter from the Department of Justice in 2010 asking for information about one of his friends.

I didn't know where he was at
Nas was unaware of his friend's location and could not help the Department of Justice.

Didn't even have a hint
Nas had no clue about his friend's whereabouts.

And even if I did, a nigga'll never snitch
Nas would never betray his friend by snitching to the authorities.

Cheat code, I walked into my greatness
Nas suggests that he has stumbled upon some secret to success and easily walked into greatness.

Freak hoes throw their pussy a party, ok then
Nas acknowledges the sexual attention he receives from women and enjoys the fact that they are attracted to him.

Raised by a Queen that's the only reason I made it
Nas attributes his success to the way he was raised by his mother.

King's Disease, the recurrence, that shit reinstated
Nas refers to his medical condition, King's Disease, and how it has come back to him.

Death to the pessimistic mind state
Nas rejects pessimism and embraces positivity.

Lack of hope, low spirit motherfuckas
Nas has no respect for people who lack hope and have low spirits.

Life to Kings, gettin' a King's ransom, livin' handsome
Nas celebrates his life as a king, enjoying great wealth and living a lavish lifestyle.

Yo Hit, we did it
Nas gives a shoutout to Hit-Boy, the producer of the album, and acknowledges their success in working together.

King's Disease 2
The title of the album this song is from, which refers to Nas's medical condition and his greatness as a rapper.